Helping Irish Hosts' Transition out of the Pledge Programme Consortium
Helping Irish Hosts (HIH) will transition out of the Pledge Programme consortium by mid May, 2025, following the conclusion of our Service Level Agreement with the Irish Red Cross (IRC).
Since its inception, HIH has played a central role in Ireland’s hosting response - mobilising pledges, facilitating matches, supporting hosts and guests, developing best practices, and advocating for a community-driven model of refugee welcome. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of hosts and the resilience of displaced Ukrainians, hosting has proven the power of people stepping up.
As HIH transitions out of the consortium, we will continue to work with the Irish Red Cross to minimise disruption for hosts and beneficiaries. We trust that insights from HIH’s experience will help shape and strengthen the programme.
Hosting extends beyond the Pledge Programme. HIH has always believed that all hosts - whether formally matched or independent - should have access to support, guidance, and protections they need to ensure positive, sustainable hosting experiences. In Ireland, 61% of hosts operate independently, outside any formal matching structure, yet they play a critical role in the country’s response to displacement. Without proper systems in place, hosts risk burnout, the model is vulnerable to exploitation, and displaced people face greater housing instability.
That’s why HIH remains committed to advocating for a hosting model that supports ALL hosts - not just those within formal programmes, and not just those hosting people from Ukraine.
As an organisation created by hosts, for hosts, we will continue to champion sustainable hosting and advocate for the policies needed to make it a lasting part of Ireland’s refugee response. During this transition, HIH will remain a source of guidance and support, though on a significantly smaller, volunteer-led basis. Our website, helpline, and host network will continue with reduced capacity, and we will share more details on these adjustments in the coming weeks.
The future of refugee welcome in Ireland depends on whether people-powered generosity is met with the right policies and structures. HIH will keep pushing for sustainable solutions, and we need hosts, supporters, and policymakers to stand with us.
We don’t have all the answers yet, but we do know this: the spirit of welcome that brought thousands of people together won’t disappear. Together, we can build on what we’ve achieved and ensure hosting remains rooted in values of kindness, dignity, and community, strengthened by practical frameworks, and supported for the long term.